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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 6 1 Resident Jim F. stated they had heard there was an air quality problem in the basement of the 2 bank. He hopes that has been looked at. He asked how many parking spots are in the lot. 3 There is a lot of asphalt. It would be nice if some work could be done on the outside of the 4 building. Mr. Ross stated they had talked about a play area under the canopy. The landscaping 5 that is currently there will be maintained. 6 7 Resident Sesman H. at 2521 38th Avenue, stated the community has a lot of issues as far as 8 helping children. Many different languages are spoken within the community. A community 9 center is very important. The building is a beautiful building and should not be demolished for 10 a multi-family building. The youth are the foundation of the country. 11 12 Mr. Grittman stated he received one email and one telephone call from residents on 27th 13 Avenue. Both expressed support for the proposed amendment to the PUD. 14 15 Chair Socha closed the public hearing at 7:57 p.m. 16 17 Commissioner Erickson asked Mr. Grittman how binding was the original agreement between 18 Interstate, Bremer and the City. Mr. Grittman stated it was adopted by Ordinance. The 19 applicants are requesting to alter that Ordinance. 20 21 Commissioner Rude asked what the permitted use is for the building and Mr. Grittman stated 22 without any other changes the use of the property needed to be multi-family residential. 23 24 Commissioner Anderson asked about the other sites in town for affordable housing. Asked if 25 there are other locations where housing could be constructed. Mr. Grittman stated there is no 26 obvious vacant site. New affordable housing may be part of a re-development plan. 27 28 Chair Socha mentioned the gas station property as a possible site for multi-family housing. 29 The size is not significant compared to this property. If there were applicants proposing 30 affordable housing, she would tend to want that but this is a viable option. 31 32 Commissioner Morita stated he supports this plan. His concern is how important is the 33 availability of affordable housing. If there is no other place for affordable housing and we go 34 forward with this what are the risks. Mr. Grittman stated the risks are not great. There are 35 affordable housing markers that the Met Council applies to the City. There are different ways 36 to satisfy those standards. 37 38 Commissioner Erickson stated he has some concerns about tax base. A finished project would 39 bring tax revenue to the City. The apartment market has deteriorated. It is unknown how long 40 it would take for this property to redevelop into multi-family housing. It is a difficult decision. 41 42 Commissioner Anderson stated while affordable housing is a goal of the City this project 43 could meet welcoming community goals. She asked if there are grants available to fix up the 44 parking lot and outside area. Mr. Grittman stated conditions could be suggested to the City 45 Council and he could not address grant opportunities. Commissioner Anderson stated she does 46 not want to set a bunch of conditions to a non-profit.